Few subjects in Star Trek have caused as much controversy as Klingon forehead ridges. A simple lack of resources in 1967 and a big movie budget in 1979 worked together to create one of the greatest debates of our time. Why do some Klingons have ridges while others do not? Deep Space Nine chimed in on the topic in a humorous way in “Trials and Tribble-ations,” but Enterprise sought to create a real in-universe explanation. In the final episode of The Ready Room for 2013 we’re joined by Mike Schindler and Tyler Johnson to discuss the Season Four two-parter, the medical dilemma faced by Phlox, the implications for the Klingon Empire, the Section 31 twist, and whether or not Enterprise helped settle the debate or simply further muddied the waters.

In news we take a look at the Enterprise Season Four Blu-ray set, discuss the five stages of reading the novelization of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and round out our preview of Five Year Mission’s Year Three with “A Piece of the Action” and “The Immunity Syndrome.”

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News

Enterprise Season Four Blu-rays set for April 1 release

Five Stages of Reading the Novelization of Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Relativity.

Time travel has always been a mainstay of Star Trek storytelling. Starting with “The Naked Time” on TOS all the way to “Storm Front” on Enterprise, our crews have brought us no fewer than 50 flavors of temporal treats. Voyager is tied with TNG for the most time travel outings, and half of these were named to Star Trek 101’s list of Ten Essential Voyager Episodes. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Tristan Riddell, and John Mills to discuss one of the most fun—and perhaps most confusing—of these, “Relativity.” From the episode’s start as a “Caretaker” prequel to the Minority Report twist, we debate the pacing, the writing, and revel in the fun of the 29th century.

In news we take a look at some new Voyager fine art prints from Generation Gallery, explore the 8-bit galaxy with Star Trek: Trexels, and discuss LeVar Burton’s support for AIDS research and the We-Care.com contest that lets you win lunch with LeVar. Plus we get an update on Larry Nemecek’s Trekland Trunk and preview “Wolf In the Fold” and “The Trouble With Tribbles” from Five Year Mission’s Year Three.

The Ship.

We don’t often see our DS9 heroes in bright sunlight nor do we see ships buried in the side of mountains. But early in the fifth season of Deep Space Nine we got both rolled up into one as part of a story that would deliver both a tough character moment for O’Brien and a tool the Federation would use late in the Dominion War. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Michael Fisher, Ben McCormick, and John Mills to discuss “The Ship,” the production challenges faced by the staff and the actors, the hits and misses of this story about a siege, flaring tempers, and death, the always unpredictable nature of the Vorta, and the pettiness of war.

In news we take some intriguing new Star Trek-themed Hot Wheels cars for a spin, share our thoughts on J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay—the two new writers for the next Abramsverse Star Trek film—and we jam out on the new Vulcan Harp iPad app. Plus, we preview “The Deadly Years” and “Obsession” from Five Year Mission’s Year Three.

The Game.

Robin Lefler only made two appearances on TNG, yet became a fan-favorite thanks to a charming performance by Ashley Judd in “The Game.” When Riker’s Risian escapades endangered the Enterprise—and indeed all of Starfleet—someone had to lay down the laws and put things right. So we’re all lucky Lefler was there. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by the crew of our TNG show Earl Grey—Daniel Proulx, Darren Moser, and Phillip Gilfus—to discuss the fifth season Next Generation episode, how Robin and Wesley make the perfect geek date, how the episode foreshadows technology addiction and the modern world of smartphone-gazing, the problem with Data’s off switch, why the crew is so happy to see Wesley back on the ship, and why Worf is so proud of his cake. Remember, he made it himself.

In news we discuss the TNG cast reunion that William Shatner will host at Destination Star Trek Germany, share our thoughts on the Star Trek: Renegades teaser trailer, and preview “Journal to Babel” and “Friday’s Child” from Five Year Mission’s Year Three. Plus, we answer Questions from the Fleet to choose the best starship design, and Larry Nemecek and Teras Cassidy pop in to talk about Geek Nation Tours.

Five Year Mission: Year Three.

At long last the wait is over. It’s been two years since Five Year Mission, the Indianapolis-based TOS tribute band, launched their sophomore effort, Year Two. Building on the great success of Year One, the second album highlighted the growth in sound and took FYM in new creative directions. So anticipation has been high for the band’s third album; and at last they’ve cleared all moorings. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Five Year Mission themselves for a preview of Year Three and find out how the album came together, how the process differed from the past, and what inspired the sound of each track. Plus, the band gives us live acoustic performances of four tracks: “The Gamesters of Triskelion,” “I, Mudd,” “Metamorphosis,” and “The Doomsday Machine.” We also get hints of what’s to come on Year Four, plus a “Spock’s Brain” EP and an apparent obsession over “For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky.”

In news we run down some great gift ideas for the Star Trek fan on your holiday shopping list and discuss the recent StarTrek.com poll about favorite cliffhangers from the franchise.

The Squire of Gothos.

Dealing with powerful aliens, computers, and the temper tantrums of children are all in a day’s work for Kirk and the Enterprise crew. But how about rolling them all into one? That’s what happened when the mysterious planet Gothos found its way into the path of the Enterprise—or vice versa—in the “The Squire of Gothos.” In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Drew Stewart, and John Mills to discuss Kirk’s run-in with the Paramount props department and General Trelane (retired), his assumption that a machine was behind all the tricks, the casting of William Campbell, and whether or not Trelane is a Q. We also choose the time periods that would be our own obsessions and uncover the true history of Earth’s salt vampire-infested past.

In news we check in on Syfy’s plans for a Thanksgiving-weekend Star Trek movie marathon, the release of Anthony Montgomery’s new film Chariot, full details on the Enterprise Season Three Blu-ray extras, and we preview two more tracks from Five Year Mission’s upcoming album Year Three. Plus, we remember Star Trek: The Motion Picture casting director Marvin Paige.

The Catwalk.

One of the goals in writing for any series is to tell stories that can’t be told anywhere else. With its early technology and proximity to our own time, Enterprise had an opportunity to put characters into situations that the other series couldn’t. One great example is the idea of a ship lost at sea facing a terrible storm, and this challenge of early exploration was examined in the second-season episode “The Catwalk.” In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing and Larry Nemecek to discuss “The Catwalk,” how the crew of the NX-01 had to adapt when their technology was not advanced enough to save them, and how tough circumstances brought the crew together. We also delve into Human-Vulcan relationships, the sexual tension between T’Pol and Archer (or lack thereof), the relationship between T’Pol and Trip, and how it all leads to Amanda and Sarek.

In news we find out about Armin Shimerman’s new film project, Diani & Devine Meet The Apocalypse, Kate Mulgrew’s plans to write her memoirs, J.G. Hertzler’s election to office in New York state, and we answer some Questions from the Fleet. We also preview two tracks from Five Year Mission’s upcoming album Year Three.

Faces.

We all have different sides that make us who we are. The Original Series explored this masterfully in Richard Matheson’s story of Kirk’s struggle to live with only his good or evil half in “The Enemy Within.” When Voyager rolled around nearly 30 years later, the writers once again took us to the realm of Jekyll and Hyde incarnate with “Faces,” the story of B’Elanna’s struggle between her Klingon and human halves. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt and Mariel Keeran to discuss what the story has in common with “The Enemy Within” and where it differs, how the loss of each side affected the other as B’Elanna coped with being fully Klingon and fully human, and how the writers could have taken a bold step on Voyager and turned the actions of the Vidiians into an incredible character arc.

In news we examine the winners of the WeLoveFine Star Trek t-shirt design contest, get you ready for Star Trek Online’s debut on Mac, learn about the return of Michael Dorn as Worf in STO, share our thoughts on the rumours of Joe Cornish directing the next Abramsverse film, and get the details of the Japanese Blu-ray release of Star Trek Into Darkness (are all the extras available in one set?). Plus, we find out which energy drink will be sponsoring the next Parrises squares championship.

For the Uniform.

We knew from the start that Benjamin Sisko had a temper. After all, he punched Q in the face in the sixth episode of the series. But if you really make Sisko mad he’ll do more than just punch you. He’ll chase you down in a broken ship and then try to punch a holographic projection of you. That’s what happened to Michael Eddington when he decided to escalate the Maquis-Starfleet conflict by sabotaging the Defiant and attacking a Cardassian colony with biogenic weapons. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Ben McCormick, Mike Schindler, and Max Hegel to discuss Peter Allan Fields’s futuristic take on Les Misérables, the extreme tactics of both Eddington and Sisko, and how this episode paves the way for another of Fields’s classics, “In the Pale Moonlight.” We also explore the creative communication methods employed in this story, including the holographic communicator and the shouting Ferengi. In news we get into the Halloween mood with our favorite scary or spooky Star Trek episodes, debate the results of a poll that asked which character should have died differently, take a look at a new Starfleet uniforms infographic, and hear a few tidbits about the next Star Trek film.

Relics.

Generations officially passed the baton from TOS to TNG on the big screen, but the relay began long before The Nexus swept away Kirk and Picard. Doctor McCoy appeared in "Encounter at Farpoint," Spock played a central role in "Unification," and Scotty was found hiding in a transporter buffer in "Relics." In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Larry Nemecek as well as Phillip Gilfus and Daniel Proulx from our TNG show Earl Grey to discuss the Enterprise-D's encounter with TOS's miracle worker, how Scotty serves as the true bridge between generations, and try to uncover where exactly Troi was the whole time a man from the past needed counselling.

In news we check in on the release date for the Enterprise Season Three Blu-rays, find out more about the behind-the-scenes creations of reunions and extras, discuss the TNG Season Five Blu-rays and the "Unification" feature release, and explore the chances of Star Trek returning to television soon—including the intertwined rights ownership between CBS and Paramount and the obstacles that Star Trek faces in making it back to the small screen. Plus, Larry gives us the lowdown on The Trekland Trunk.

The Man Trap.

After "The Cage" was rejected by NBC, Gene Roddenberry was given an unprecedented second chance to bring Star Trek to the screen. Three new pilot outlines were written and finally one was chosen. The public's first glimpse of Star Trek was to take place on planet M-113—a world left deserted by a civilization with an apparent salt and stacking fetish—and tell a story that the studio felt was a safer first impression with its straightforward plot, monster action, and not-too-exotic setting.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Mike Schindler and Drew Stewart to discuss "The Man Trap," why it was chosen as the first episode to air, how it stacks up to the other choices both as science fiction and as an introduction to Roddenberry's concept, and how the franchise might have differed had it followed this episode's format and approach to alien life.

In news we learn about the next stop for Destination Star Trek—Frankfurt, Germany—how you can build your own NX class refit, look at the wide variety of 2014 Star Trek calendars, and discuss Bryan Fuller’s desire to bring Star Trek back to television—and what form that might take. Plus, we learn about Mike's get-rich-quick scheme involving his cat, an ink pad, and a Star Trek convention.

Home.

Following the successful destruction of the Xindi weapon, Archer and the Enterprise crew returned home just as Picard and his crew did after defeating the Borg in "The Best of Both Worlds." Unlike Picard's crew, however, the men and women of the NX-01 returned to a world that was not entirely happy with what they represented. Hailed by many as heroes and by others as a threat to Earth's security, each had to come to terms with the events of the past year. For Archer it was the isolation at the top of the command chain while struggling to accept the change in his mission and what he was forced to do in The Expanse. For Phlox is was the sudden onset of xenophobia on Earth. And Trip? For him it was the realization that he was losing T'Pol. In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Matthew Rushing and Kate Walsh to discuss how "Home" brings the Xindi Arc to a close and sets up many of the threads explored in the fourth season. Along the way we find out how much Vulcans love their statues and that Porthos is a good listener.

In our news segment we look at the Enterprise Season Three Blu-ray trailer and cover art, get our pets ready for Starfleet duty, preview two tracks from Five Year Mission's upcoming album Year Three and tell you how you can help the band, and debate whether Spock or Data is the most human character in Star Trek.

The Voyager Conspiracy.

Alcoves have many uses. There's the obvious one—regeneration—but there are less common ones as well, like playing Matlock. When Seven decided she could analyse data better than the crew or the ship's computer, she found herself being pulled down a rabbit hole infested with photonic fleas. In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Phillip Gilfus, and Daniel Proulx to discuss "The Voyager Conspiracy," why exactly Seven wanted to download 30 million teraquads of data into her brain in the first place, and just who exactly Naomi Wildman is working for.

In our news segment we find out what Gates McFadden and Brent Spiner have brewing on stage, how Gates is using Vine as a promotional tool, debate which Trek series has the best theme music is, and look at Bruce E. Drushel's new anthology Fan Phenomena: Star Trek.

Homefront / Paradise Lost.

In the 24th century Earth is a paradise. At least that's what we've been led to believe. But paranoia can drive even the residents of paradise to begin burning down the house, and that's what happened at the heart of the Federation when the Changeling threat reached Earth. In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Michael Fisher, Max Hegel, and Mike Schindler to discuss the mid-season two-parter that was originally planned as the third-season cliffhanger and fourth-season premiere, what it says about civil rights during times of danger, Gene Roddenberry's utopian vision versus reality, and how Worf's addition to the show changed the story's original concept.

In our news segment we discuss some interesting comments about the Star Trek video game from J.J. Abrams, his decision on directing the next film, which Starfleet engineer would make the best handyman, and our first venture into interstellar space with Voyager 1.

A Matter of Honor.

One way that TNG showed us the passage of time was to bring together the Federation and Klingons as allies—at least uneasy ones. It was a great opportunity to delve into cross-cultural issues, and that's what they did when Riker became an exchange student aboard the Klingon vessel Pagh. In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Phillip Gilfus, Daniel Proulx, and Darren Moser to find out why Picard envies Riker, how to roll up Klingon stereotypes and diversity into one episode, and why being lactose intolerant may not be a good condition to have when serving in the KDF.

In our news segment we remember author A.C. Crispin, find out how Dayton Ward plans to use Paramount's Into Darkness Blu-ray scheme for his next novel, examine the "Unification" feature-length trailer, try to figure out what Star Trek: Terran is, and field more Questions from the Fleet—this time what we would create as the next TV series. And, of course, mark the 47th birthday of our beloved franchise.

KHAN.

He is arguably the most iconic villain in Star Trek history—if not cinema history itself. A character with superior abilities, superior intellect, but who easily grows fatigued. Of course he is Khan Noonien Singh. Instead of going for something completely new for the second installment of his Star Trek reboot, J.J. Abrams chose to use the villain who the fan base considers sacred—a move that has generated cries of outrage from many. But to understand Khan and his role in Into Darkness requires more than just a glance at The Wrath of Khan. In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by the world's foremost expert on Khan, John Tenuto, to discuss the origins of the character, how he was used in "Space Seed," The Wrath of Khan, and Star Trek Into Darkness, and why there are more connections to the purest form of Khan's character in J.J.'s film than you may realize.

In our news segment we rejoice in Bye Bye Robot's choice to produce lithographs of Matt Ferguson's beautiful posters for the six Original Series films, get ready to listen to William Shatner's upcoming album Ponder the Mystery, and unleash our own wrath directed at Paramount and Bad Robot over the Star Trek Into Darkness Blu-ray fiasco. Plus, we field our first Questions from the Fleet.

The Devil in the Dark.

The mission of the Enterprise is to seek out new life and new civilizations. And that’s exactly what Kirk and his crew did when they visited Janus VI. But sometimes our heroes don’t react to truly alien life in the way they perhaps should. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Daniel Proulx, Drew Stewart, and Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss the realities of seeking out new life, the way TOS explores racial issues, and why we have more in common with the Horta than you might think. We also jump into The Great Phaser Debate, feel sorry for the nine unluckiest guys on the ship, and marvel at the magical properties of the Vulcan mindmeld.

In our news segment we break down the Into Darkness Honest Trailer, discuss the "Unification” Blu-ray and the possibility of such releases for DS9 and Voyager, get an update on the WeLoveFine Star Trek t-shirt design contest, and pull up a table for Michael Dorn’s Swallow Your Bliss Indiegogo campaign. Plus, we introduce a new segment, Messages from the Fleet.

Kir’Shara.

Ask anyone—fan or not—to name one race from Star Trek and chances are they’ll say Vulcan. Thanks to Spock, few things are more associated with Trek than those green-blooded, pointy-eared aliens. Despite this the Vulcans are the most prominent race in Star Trek about whom we’ve learned very little over the years. It was left to Enterprise to fill in the blanks, something the series did beautifully, yet a majority of the fan base missed it because they had tuned the show out. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Michael Fisher, Colin Higgins, and James Moorhouse to continue our discussion of the Syrrannite Trilogy with the culmination, “Kir’Shara.”

In our news segment we review the happenings at Star Trek Las Vegas 2013, look at a new fan-curated collection of TOS episodes from CBS, hear directly from 1/8th Beverly about her relationship with Gates McFadden, and find out where Star Trek fans get their Trek fix most often.

The Q and the Grey.

Q was a constant thorn in Picard’s side. He put the Enterprise crew on trial for the crimes of humanity, introduced humans to the Borg, kidnapped Vash, and sent the Captain spiralling through time. Through it all, one thing he never did with Jean Luc was try to procreate. But that’s exactly what he tried to do with Janeway in “The Q and the Grey.” In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Darren Moser, and Mike Rittenhouse to discuss a Q’s guide to romance, how John de Lancie’s character fits into Voyager compared to TNG, how the episode rewrites the very nature of the Q, and the battle for the future of the Continuum.

In our news segment we preview the festivities slated for Star Trek Las Vegas, fill you in on a special convention panel for Larry Nemecek’s Stellar Cartography, and we say goodbye to Michael Ansara, who played Kang—one of Star Trek’s original Klingons. Plus, we unveil our plan for solving the world economic crisis using custom Star Trek email accounts.

Explorers.

During the second season, DS9 focused its stories more and more on characters. But as Jake grew up it became harder to figure out how to handle the father-son relationship with Sisko. Then, in the third season, the perfect story came along, pitched by show intern Hilary Bader. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing, Drew Stewart, and Ben McCormick to discuss “Explorers” and how inspiration from Heyerdahl’s 1947 voyage aboard the Kon-Tiki was the perfect vehicle for bringing the two Siskos together. We also explore the budding bromance between O’Brien and Bashir, and whether we’re losing something special in our lives as the digital age takes over from the analog.

In our news segment we find Creation Entertainment encouraging another run at the costume record at Star Trek Las Vegas, take a peek at what DS9’s logo could have been, cook breakfast with the Enterprise spatula, take QMx’s NX-01 artisan replica for a flight, and discuss John Eaves’s account of designing Star Trek Into Darkness. Plus, we reveal a cosplay loophole that could help fans shatter that world record set at Destination Star Trek London.

The Nth Degree.

Following the success of “Hollow Pursuits” in TNG’s third season, the writers began looking for a way to bring Dwight Schultz back to reprise the role of Barclay. But they wanted it to be a meaningful return, and so the search began for just the right story that would do justice to the character. The end results was a tale that would see a socially challenged man transformed into a braniac. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Daniel Proulx and Phillip Gilfus to discuss the return of Barclay in “The Nth Degree” as well as his portrayal later on in the series and on Voyager.

In our news segment we look at Voyager toys and collectibles from over the years, Hallmark’s 2014 ornament lineup, critique the final cover art for the Blu-ray and DVD releases of Star Trek Into Darkness, and remember the first Klingon seen in Star Trek—Victor Lundin—who passed away at the age of 83. We also explain why putting a Horta on your Christmas tree may not be the best idea.

Spock’s Brain.

On September 20, 1968, after successfully rescuing Star Trek from cancellation, fans were greeted with the premiere of a third season. When you’ve been given a second chance, you want to put your best foot forward. So rather than going with the first new episode filmed, the producers reached deeper into the bag to pull out the season premiere. And the story they chose was “Spock’s Brain.” In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Drew Stewart, Charlynn Schmiedt, and Jennie Zell to explore this legendary episode to find out why—rather than being the worst episode of Star Trek as is so often claimed—it is truly a brilliant work of art.

In our news segment we look at the Smithsonian Channel’s Real Story of Star Trek, an expanded soundtrack release for Insurrection from GNP Crescendo, some unique Into Darkness promotions from Japan—including a track featuring Kyary Pamyu Pamyu—and news about the next Star Trek film. Plus, we hit the club to try out the latest dance craze—the Riker Maneuver.

Stigma.

During Viacom’s HIV Awareness campaign of early 2003, Brannon Braga and Rick Berman penned an Enterprise episode that drew parallels between the disease and the Vulcan practice of mindmelding. It’s one of the show’s more heavy-handed moments of social commentary, yet still has much to say about rights and equality beyond HIV and AIDS. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Warp Five’s Kate Walsh and John Champion of Mission Log to discuss this episode, “Stigma,” the arrogance and intolerance of 22nd-century Vulcans, how the episode applies to general LGBT rights in the modern day, and the pros and cons of the unique family structure of Denobulans.

In our news segment we look at the DVD release of Shatner’s Captain’s Close Up series, a special best of TOS Blu-ray called Star Trek: Origins, a Trek-themed hotel suite in Brazil, and Star Trek Into Darkness Live In Concert. Plus, we find out why Star Trek and Pokémon have more in common than you might think.

Thirty Days.

Tom Paris started his life on Voyager as the carefree badboy. But over the course of seven seasons he grew more than perhaps any other character. The journey was not without its bumps though, as was the case when he found himself back in prison—or at least the brig—after violating Janeway’s orders under Monean waters. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Tristan Riddell and Daniel Proulx to discuss “Thirty Days” and how, though it meant a demotion for Tom, it showed he had learned to care about things bigger than himself.

In our news segment we look at the Saturn Award win for the TNG remastered team, the TNG Season Five Blu-ray trailer, a Star Trek t-shirt design contest, and Chris finally gets to talk a bit about his impressions of Star Trek Into Darkness. Plus, we remember the prolific writing career of Richard Matheson, who passed away on June 23.

Our Man Bashir.

The holodeck malfunction was a staple of storytelling on The Next Generation. So as the Deep Space Nine writing team set out to chart a different course, they shied away from this perhaps overused plot device. But sometimes a story comes along that it is just too fun not to tell. And if you can find a way to do it that ties into your overall premise, that’s all the better. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Michael Fisher and Larry Nemecek to discuss DS9’s romp through the 1960s life of secret agents as Dr. Bashir’s holosuite fantasy goes terribly wrong, yet turns out to be the hero.

In our news segment we find out what special features are in store for us on the Trek Nation special edition DVD, discuss the value and functionality of a Spock coin bank, make ice for the 24th century, find out which Abramsverse actor has been secured for Star Trek Las Vegas, and pay our final respects to Katherine Woodville, who played Natira in “For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky.”

100 Things We Love About Star Trek.

This week we reach a milestone: our 100th show! To help us celebrate the occasion we’ve gathered members of the Trek.fm crew from all around the globe for a double-length feature. In this episode of The Ready Room we forego our usual format as Matthew Rushing, Charlynn Schmiedt, Drew Stewart, Lorrie Sears, Thomas Baddeley, Max Hegel, Daniel Proulx, Mariel Keeran, and Matt Miller join us for an informal chat about a hundred things we love about Star Trek.

In an abbreviated news segment we hear from one of our most devoted listeners and check in on Star Trek: The Exhibition as it kicks off in San Diego. We also look at some very limited autographed collectibles from Amazon and Celebrity Authentics signed by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Zachary Quinto.

Yesterday’s Enterprise.

When it comes to creative work, you often don’t realize that you’re doing something special until much later on when you have time to breathe and look back. And that was the case with “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” which had one of the most convoluted writing histories of any episode. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Michael Fisher, and Daniel Proulx to discuss the Enterprise-C’s journey to the future, Guinan’s feels, Tasha 2.0, and the rest of the magic that came together to create one of the all-time fan favorites. We also reveal, for the first time ever, what actually goes on in Cetacean Ops.

In news we look at a brand new collection of scale replicas of Star Trek ships from Eaglemoss, take a walk down memory lane with Star Trek: The Original Topps Trading Cards Book, uncork some Star Trek wine from Vinport, and burn our retinae by looking at deleted scenes from “Evolution.” Plus, we put out a call for the next great card battle game.

A Piece of the Action.

When Gene Roddenberry was putting together his first proposal for Star Trek, he jotted down a one-sentence synopsis: “President Capone.” And from that eventually came the second-season episode “A Piece of the Action.” In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing and Drew Stewart to discuss Kirk and Spock’s romp through 1920s Chicago—or at least an alien world modeled after the gangster lifestyle—in one the most quintessential TOS stories around. And if you’re lucky, you’ll leave the show with a royale Fizzbin.

In news we look at release dates for the Enterprise Season Two Blu-ray set, an expanded soundtrack for “The Best of Both Worlds” from GNP Crescendo, the premiere of Star Trek Continues, Space.com’s Treknology infographic, the History Channel’s Star Trek: Secrets of the Universe, and pre-order promotions for Star Trek Into Darkness. Plus, we learn the identify of Jeffrey Combs’s female counterpart. She is everywhere!

Star Trek Into Darkness.

After a four-year wait, Star Trek fans have finally been taken into darkness with the second chapter in the J.J. Abrams take on Gene Roddenberry’s creation. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Tristan Riddell, Charlynn Schmiedt, Matthew Rushing, and Lorrie Sears to discuss our impressions of the film, what we liked, what we disliked, and what it means for the future of the franchise.

In news we look at the upcoming Creation conventions in Chicago and Boston, Bing’s new Klingon translation option, a major UK Blu-ray bargain on Enterprise season two, the new Star Trek Rivals card game for iPhone and iPad, and Shatner’s new Captains Close-up mini series on EPIX, and a look at the initial box office number for Star Trek Into Darkness.

Star Trek (2009).

In the same year that Enterprise went black, marking the end of Star Trek on television, Paramount reached out to a new creative team for ideas on how to revive the franchise. What came next was revelation that J.J. Abrams was developing a new Star Trek film. Slowly fans learned that the project was a reboot of the franchise that would recast the iconic roles of Kirk, Spock, and their crew. We’re starting everything over again. As the poster said, “The Future Begins.” In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Matthew Rushing, and Max Hegel to talk about the first J.J. film, the uproar it caused in the Trek community, where it fits into the overall franchise, and about its strengths and weaknesses.

In news we look at summer and autumn tour plans for Star Trek: The Exhibition, new developments in the possible remastering of Deep Space Nine for Blu-ray, Diamond Select’s USS Excelsior, Geek Nation Tours “Hollywood to Vegas with Larry Nemecek,” changes to the Star Trek Into Darkness release date, and we talk about IDW’s Star Trek Ongoing #20. Plus, Mike Schindler gives a report from the midnight screening of Into Darkness at the BFI IMAX in London.

Unexpected.

The first rule of Xyrillian boating is you do not talk about Xyrillian boating. The second rule is you don’t stick your hands into a box of pebbles with a stranger. This is something Trip Tucker learned the hard way when a seemingly innocent day on the holographic water left him with a few extra nipples and an alien baby. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Drew Stewart, Mariel Keeran, and Enterprise associate producer Dave Rossi to discuss “Unexpected,” how it gives us a rare glimpse of a truly alien environment, introduces holodeck and replicator technology, the first hostile encounter between human and Klingon ships, and more.

In news we look at a feature-length Blu-ray release for “Redemption,” recovered footage from “The Bonding,” the return of Star Trek fragrances, personalised Star Trek email addresses, a Facebook chat with George Takei and J.J. Abrams, a little known Star Trek Into Darkness TV spot, and the Into Darkness soundtrack.

Real Life.

When the USS Voyager was pulled across the galaxy by the Caretaker Array, each person on the ship left a family member behind. All but one that is. As a hologram the Doctor had no family to lose; yet he still wanted to find out what it would be like if he did. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Colin Higgins, and Lorrie Sears to discuss the Doctor’s grand family experiment in “Real Life.” Along the way we also find out how a classic 20th Century song inspired Tom Paris to fly into space eddies, how Janeway deals with windy dangers, and ponder the Delta Quadrant’s bovine deficiency.

In news we look at the TNG Season Four Blu-ray set, new reviews and alternate poster artwork for the TOS films from CromeYellow.com and artist Matt Ferguson, Star Trek-themed checks from Checks In the Mail, the Star Trek Into Darkness world premiere tour, two new teasers from the film, and Paramount’s UK “Where’s Scotty?” promotion. Plus, we reveal what buttons we’d want on our Captain’s chair and find out how the Into Darkness scuba suits were inspired by Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Trials and Tribble-ations.

When the 30th Anniversary of Star Trek rolled around in 1996, the creative teams of both Deep Space Nine and Voyager were charged with the task of paying homage with a special episode. Inspired by the revolutionary techniques of Forrest Gump, the DS9 writers set out to pen a story that would insert Sisko and his crew into the middle of one of the franchise’s most iconic episodes—“The Trouble with Tribbles.” The result was one of the most memorable moments in Star Trek history. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing, Charlynn Schmiedt, and Larry Nemecek for a look at the making of “Trials and Tribble-ations.” Larry’s firsthand experience on the set delivers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what truly is a Valentine to Trek.

In news we look at the debut of TNG HD on iTunes and Amazon Instant Video, a reunion of the full principal cast of Enterprise for the upcoming Season Two Blu-ray release, TV Guide’s 60th Anniversary commemorative covers, Dayton Ward’s picks for 10 of the best Star Trek audiobooks, Cumberbatch talking about John Harrison’s motives, and some of the new Star Trek Into Darkness poster art including spotlight’s on Uhura, Spock, and the Enterprise, plus a Tumblr-inspired Cinemosaic poster. We also reveal our own pick for the most influential TV series of the 1980s… and we think you already know what it is.

The Inner Light.

Every once in a while Star Trek hits on a story that is just great science fiction, a story that works even if all the elements unique to the series are removed. That’s what Morgan Gendel delivered in his touching story about Picard’s life as a man named Kamin on the planet Kataan. “The Inner Light” won TNG one of its two Hugo Awards, and for good reason. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Colin Higgins, Matthew Rushing, and Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss this fan favourite, what it reveals about the inner workings of Picard’s mind, and the many layers of family and society that make up the 25 minutes of unconsciousness that saw a lifetime pass for Jean Luc.

In news we reflect on First Contact Day and the likelihood of real-life first contact by 2063, discuss Scott Bakula’s comments about the possible fifth season of Enterprise on Netflix, William Shatner and the Texas Lottery, a 3-D version of the Russian Star Trek Into Darkness trailer, a sneak peak at the recording of the Into Darkness score with composer Michael Giacchino, get excited about Alice Eve and the audiobook version of the movie novelisation, and we share our thoughts on Countdown to Darkness #4 and how it sets up the movie. Plus, we reveal why Tuvok might be wearing a kimono in the near future.

This Side of Paradise.

We all strive for happiness, but true contentment is difficult to achieve—and perhaps for good reason. A group of Federation colonists found just that, however, when Berthold radiation-hungry flowers gave them complete joy… with no side effects. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by John Champion of Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast and Kate Walsh to discuss the classic TOS episode “This Side of Paradise,” the roles of happiness and strife in the evolution of society, the parallels between the spores and drug addiction, whether or not this episode was a response to the growing hippie movement of the 1960s, and how mint juleps make you more and more Southern by the sip.

In news we remember set decorator James Mees, find out what role Marina Sirtis will be playing on NCIS, and we relive the epic fight between Kirk and the Gorn—this time with pillows. We also discuss the possibility of Netflix bringing Enterprise back for a fifth season, IDW’s comic sequel After Darkness, and check out Empire’s May 2013 J.J. Abrams issue and fold-out Into Darkness cover. Oh… we also come to terms with the fact that Lefler won’t be making us obey her laws after all and unveil Star Trek: The Next Generation’s long lost Easter episode.

Dead Stop.

When the NX-01 was damaged by a Romulan mine, the consequences were more serious than initially thought. Faced with the prospect of a decade-long journey back to Jupiter Station, Archer was left with little choice but to seek help from the nearest good samaritans—but got caught in a snare. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing, Michael Fisher, and Mariel Keeran to discuss the Enterprise episode “Dead Stop” as well as pan-fried catfish and a customer service nightmare courtesy of one Roxann Dawson.

In news we warn you of a planned Borg invasion of Canada, point you to a great review and behind-the-scenes piece to accompany the release of Enterprise Season One on Blu-ray, take a look at Art Asylum’s limited edition I.S.S. Enterprise and Mirror Kirk Minimates, and dig into the new international trailer and poster for Star Trek Into Darkness. Plus, we wish a very happy birthday to William Shatner.

Fair Haven and Spirit Folk.

Being stranded 70,000 light years from the Federation, with just a small ship to call home, meant that the crew of Voyager really loved their holodecks. Tom enjoyed creating new locales for his shipmates, and sooner or later he was bound to go Irish. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing and To The Journey’s Charlynn Schmiedt and Tristan Riddell to discuss Voyager’s Irish duology “Fair Haven” and “Spirit Folk.” They’re episodes fans love to hate, but there are some important questions asked amidst the cows and barfights—particularly about Janeway.

In news we remember actor Malachi Throne, who passed away on March 13, and we gather the latest on other Star Trek actors including Chris Pine being named Male Star of the Year, Patrick Stewart calling for an end to violence against women, plus new projects for Scott Bakula, Karl Urban, John Billingsley, and John Cho. We also examine the beautiful packaging and menu screens for the Enterprise Season One Blu-ray set, and speculate on the likelihood of the third J.J. film dropping in 2016. Oh… and there could be an unexpected pairing in Star Trek Into Darkness.

Little Green Men.

The alleged crash of a flying saucer near Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947 has stirred controversy and fascination like few events in human history. Despite the revelation in recent years that the debris recovered was actually part of the U.S. military’s Project MOGUL, there are still those who believe it was an encounter with extraterrestrials. It’s a fun theory to kick around, but until DS9 aired Star Trek’s explanation in 1995 no one imagined that it was actually Ferengi who crashed that day.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Michael Fisher to discuss the fan-favourite “Little Green Men,” whether it really lives up to its reputation, and what it has to say about the road from present day to Star Trek future.

In news we look at the newly revealed extended cut of “The Wounded,” an additional show time for the “Best of Both Worlds,” a chance to see yourself on the big screen as a Borg, Ensign Lefler’s run for US Senate, Bye Bye Robot’s new Khan poster, shifts in the release date for Star Trek Into Darkness, and lots of spoilers about the new movie including Peter Weller’s role, lots of jumping off of things, Pike’s problem with Kirk, and the Star Wars flavour of the latest teaser. And did we mention lots of jumping off of things?

The Measure of a Man.

Does Data have rights? This is the central question asked in Melinda Snodgrass’s classic courtroom drama “The Measure of a Man.” But beyond the fate of Data himself, the real question is how artificial life will be treated in the future. Though it may sound like science fiction, it’s a decision we will someday have to make in the real world. The difficulty of the issue was presented brilliantly more than two decades ago by TNG, and the uncertainty of its message still rings true today.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by renowned Star Trek historian Larry Nemecek to discuss “The Measure of a Man,” the ethical questions it raises, and how the extended cut on Blu-ray—which adds 13 minutes—makes this episode even better.

In news we look at the upcoming re-release of The Next Generation on DVD, two awards given to La-La Land Records, the unofficial Star Trek Into Darkness poster designed by Matt Ferguson (plus a few more bits of news and rumours about the film), and we debate which Starfleet doctor is the most skilled.

The Conscience of the King.

Shakespeare can be found throughout Star Trek, from simple quotes to lifted plotlines. Today we take the influence of the Bard on the franchise for granted; but it all started in first season of The Original Series with a story that digs deeply into the issues of justice, vengeance, and justifications. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Drew Stewart and Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss “The Conscience of the King” and how a story that may seem like a simplistic, bad mystery is actually a multilayered gem that showcases the very best of Star Trek and the cast.

In news we have the latest information on the Best of Both Worlds theatrical event, try on some tunic tanks, and take a look at Andorians in DK’s upcoming Star Trek Visual Dictionary, IDW’s May 2013 comic lineup, and the making of Star Trek: The Video Game. Plus, we share our impressions of Ongoing #18’s trip into Uhura’s past and the second part of Countdown to Darkness. A Star Trek IV homage may also be on deck.

First Flight.

Archer’s involvement in Starfleet’s NX project was key to his ultimate assignment as captain of the Enterprise—and to seeing his father’s work through to completion. Beyond the test flights themselves, the journey through the ups and downs of the project shaped the leader Archer became. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing and Colin Higgins to discuss “First Flight” and how the competition with fellow Commander A.G. Robinson changed the way Archer approached life. We also talk about how the NX program influenced Archer’s view of Vulcans, how he met Trip, and how the origin of the Starfleet School of Fashion’s Admiral Uniform Modification Program can be traced back to this episode.

In news we look at the new trailers for “The Best of Both Worlds” and Enterprise Season One Blu-rays, the Shatoetry Valentine’s update, new KRE-O toys from Hasbro, and how Pine and Cumberbatch are trying to seduce you from Entertainment Weekly’s new Star Trek Into Darkness covers. Plus, we reveal the surprising identity of the character Cumberbatch is actually playing in the new film.

The Killing Game.

The introduction of the Hirogen to Voyager brought an interesting and formidable new foe to challenge Janeway and her crew. In their fourth appearance, these hunters put the Voyager crew through a series of holographic challenges culminating in a reenactment of World War II. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss “The Killing Game,” getting the cast out of makeup, Harry Kim’s Magical Morphing Power Grid, the ethical dilemma of giving the Hirogen Federation technology, and the serious philosophical debate about the paths of society that is hidden carefully at certain points in the story. Oh, and we also reflect upon Jeri Ryan’s lips.

In news we look at La-La Land Records’ new 4-CD collection of music from DS9, upcoming TNG Blu-rays, the Best of Both Worlds theatrical event, the Star Trek Into Darkness iPhone app, and what we learned from the Into Darkness Super Bowl spot. Plus, we reveal the true reason that Chase Masteron has been seen wearing headphones in recording studios recently.

Far Beyond the Stars.

In 1998, during Black History Month, Deep Space Nine aired what is one of the most creative stories in the franchise’s history. “Far Beyond the Stars” brought us the tale of a black SF writer struggling to make it in 1950s America. At the same time, the writers wove this period tale together with Sisko’s journey as the Emissary of the Prophets, making a standalone piece serve equally well as a part of the overall story of DS9. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt and Tristan Riddell to discuss “Far Beyond the Stars,” its multiple messages, how it works as straight SF, and we explore the future television careers of the staff of Incredible Tales.

In news we look at a new Bird-of-Prey replica from Diamond Select Toys, tell you how to get your Starfleet Academy class ring, and debate which piece of Star Trek technology we would most like to have. We also delve into the news that J.J. Abrams will be directing Star Wars Episode VII and what this could mean for Star Trek.

Second Chances.

What could possibly be better than Riker? Two Rikers, of course! Regardless of the scientifically questionable accident that created two copies of the nautical-bearded one, the discovery of a William Riker from eight years in the past set up a surprisingly deep story that challenged Troi’s faith in her decisions. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by our Managing Editor Charlynn Schmiedt, Literary Treks host Matthew Rushing, and Riker-disciple Michael Fisher to discuss “Second Chances,” how the passage of time changes people and their paths, romanticising the past, and why nothing can stack up to Riker’s vibe.

In news we discuss possible Blu-ray plans for The Animated Series, a new book about the story of Filmation, Creation’s TNG reunion and grand slam, new toys from Diamond Select, and we share our thoughts on the surprising story found in the first issue of Countdown to Darkness.

Journey to Babel.

Ask any fan to name a quintessential episode of TOS, an episode whose story and visuals embody all that is Star Trek. Without a doubt “Journey to Babel” would be on almost everyone’s short list. D.C. Fontana’s diplomatic murder mystery has it all: Spock, Sarek, Amanda, space food, a shirtless Kirk, and not one but two—well, one and a half—Andorian fight scenes. In this episode of The Ready Room we are joined by our TOS Editor Drew Stewart and Managing Editor Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss “Journey to Babel,” the inner conflict faced by Spock, Andorian tempers, and the Vulcan fixation on finger play.

In news we cover the full slate of Enterprise Blu-ray extras, TrekWeb’s campaign to restore Star Trek V, a full-length movie release of “The Best of Both Worlds,” Star Trek sportsball logos, and a new Botany Bay print from Bye Bye Robot. Plus, we break down Qualcomm’s press release for their Star Trek Into Darkness iPhone app.

The Road to The Wrath of Khan.

While The Motion Picture did its job of resurrecting Star Trek on the big screen, it was the second outing of Kirk and crew that really propelled the franchise forward. Nicholas Meyer, a director who was not a Trekkie, somehow “got” the very core of Star Trek and put together once of the most amazing stories ever filmed. But the road from initial idea to final cut was a lot less straightforward than the flowing narrative might suggest. In this episode ofThe Ready Room we are joined by Star Trek historian Larry Nemecek and Sociology professor John Tenuto to explore the genesis of Star Trek II, the creative choices that led to the film we know, and a wealth of behind-the-scenes information that has never been shared anywhere before. Tenuto has researched more deeply into the Nicholas Meyer archives and the life of Ricardo Montalban than perhaps anyone else in the world. In the process he uncovered the minutiae of “Space Seed” and The Wrath Khan as well as connections that indicate that Khan is indeed the villain of Star Trek Into Darkness.

In news we cover new information about the Star Trek console game release date, William Shatner’s plans for a TNG documentary, three bonus features planned for the Enterprise Season One Blu-ray set, new images from Star Trek Into Darkness, J.J. Abrams making a terminally ill fan’s final dream come true, Benedict Cumberbatch and Chris Pine on the cover of EMPIRE, and some of the first details of this summer’s edition of the Star Trek Geek Tours. Plus, we mark the 20th anniversary of Deep Space Nine by remembering the day that “Emissary” premiered.